European Regulatory Science on Tobacco – Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (EUREST-RISE)

Background

Smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption are considered the single most important cause of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Tobacco product design and additives provide a primary industry tool for innovations that may undermine public health programs and support tobacco use and dependence. The past years have seen the development and adoption of many new cigarette technologies and design features, including new tobacco blends, filters, ventilation and additives, including flavours. Within this evolutionary process, novel tobacco products have emerged -including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products- that further perpetuate the complexity of understanding and subsequently effectively regulating products.

Objectives

Within EUREST-RISE, an integrated series of research studies are proposed to facilitate the training of researchers to examine tobacco product systems, their mechanisms and purpose, and interactions between key design characteristics and their assessment in populations of users.

Methods

The project will achieve its goal through 5 specific Work Packages:

Coordination and development of the collaborative network.
Using data in Tobacco Control: product and population level analyses.
Training and transfer of knowledge on chemical and sensory research of tobacco products, heated tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Training on Advocacy, Policy Integration and Communication for tobacco control.
Dissemination and communication.
Ethics requirements.